tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509Thu, 02 Oct 2014 05:58:45 +0000LiquidLiquidlogicLogicRemixJefeBiscuitSkookroaring fork kayakershttp://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jake)Blogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-5160797577884043160Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:42:00 +00002011-09-21T19:18:16.246-07:00Royal Gorge, CaliforniaThis summer was the best summer of my life. We started out having a nice long PNW spring/summer with plenty of flow up here in WA, and then we continued our stoke into the best place to kayak ever, California! We rolled into Tahoe late one night and packed our stuff for 3 days on the royal gorge. I had heard so much about cali overnighters so clearly I was real stoked. Immediately blown away by the incredible granite slabs and rolling hills of California, we met up with a huge crew of stout runners. The crew was myself, EG,Ben Brown,Rush Sturges, Benny Marr, Dan Simenc(skippy), Shannon Carrol, Katie Scott, Robby Hogg, and of course the notorious Seiler brothers.We put on with our boats packed up and bumped down a little bit of mank we shortly got to Heath springs gorge with 2 awesome waterfalls back to back, heath 1 and 2. All photos by Robby Hogg.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90CFYGJA7qw/TnqUTPeamnI/AAAAAAAACdo/8tUkkvYzNIU/s1600/photos%2Bby%2BRobby%2BHogg%2B%252821%2529edit.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90CFYGJA7qw/TnqUTPeamnI/AAAAAAAACdo/8tUkkvYzNIU/s400/photos%2Bby%2BRobby%2BHogg%2B%252821%2529edit.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654995340409608818" /></a><br /><br /><br />Heath one is a very cool 40 footer with a stout entrance that you can run if you want. Treats. All Day<br /><br />Just after Heath 1, the Gorge turns a small corner, then heath 2 looms. Heath 2 is Another beautiful drop which lands in a badass gorge with a small exit. It has a cave on the left so running far right is the best choice. We fell off these waterfalls one by one! 12 people! It was a glorious huckfest!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtlMajYdBNw/TnqZzapdlqI/AAAAAAAACdw/aYAcThl2xxw/s1600/photos%2Bby%2BRobby%2BHogg%2B%2528138%2529edit.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JtlMajYdBNw/TnqZzapdlqI/AAAAAAAACdw/aYAcThl2xxw/s400/photos%2Bby%2BRobby%2BHogg%2B%2528138%2529edit.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655001390722684578" /></a><br /> <br />Ben Brown Droppin into Heath 2!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/fred-heath2-sequence/" rel="attachment wp-att-7038"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7038" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Fred-Heath2-Sequence-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />This is a big one to boof-stomp but hey.... when in rome.<br /><br />After Exiting heath 2, there is a really cool gorge with tight walls and sick whitewater for a couple miles.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-148edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7010"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7010" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-148edit-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" /></a><br /><br />Cali Scenery.... It aint too bad.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-156edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7011"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7011" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-156edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Then you arrive at Camp at Rattlesnake falls.Camping on Cali overnighters is truly an awesome experience... Its warm, never really rains, and there are stars filling the sky.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-247edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7015"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7015" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-247edit-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" /></a><br /><br />The Camp, and most of the crew, Camp One at rattlesnake falls.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-255edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7016"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7016" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-255edit-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" /></a><br /><br />Cali Livin! No tents, no bullshit.<br /><br />We awoke to the roar of the nearby rattlesnake falls. We then proceeded to devour the stout for breakfast.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-207edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7014"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7014" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-207edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Eg layin some serious late-evening treats here as fellow crew look on.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-274edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7018"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7018" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-274edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Myself droppin rattlesnake in the sunny california morning.<br /><br />We continued downstream to one of the most infamous drops in all of the land, Scott's Drop.<br /><br />This thing is a savage 40ish to 40ish footer that has some really serious consequences. 4 people in our group decided It looked good to go.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-323edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7020"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7020" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-323edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />The Savage Beast.<br /><br />Rush went first. He drove up on the curler and pulled a crazy sick boof off the top drop.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-292edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7019"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7019" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-292edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />All there is left to say is... BOOM!<br /><br />Then EG went.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-342edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7021"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7021" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-342edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Evan 2/3 way down Scott's.<br /><br />Then Skippy proceeded to stick it, followed by the young baby bird... Ryan Lucas.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-415edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7022"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7022" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-415edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Baby Bird spreading his wings!!!!<br /><br />Rush, Evan, Ryan, and Skippy all stuck this frothing stout, and continued to get the Royal Flush(or in other words running every major rapid in the royal gorge).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-449edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7023"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7023" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-449edit-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" /></a><br /><br />A nice lunch spot! BROWN!<br /><br />We continued downstream on day 2 of stout running.<br /><br />&nbsp;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-469edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7024"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7024" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-469edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />A sweet 20 ft split falls.<br /><br />We arrived at the lip of the notorious Wabena falls sometime in the afternoon. This waterfall is a big boy for sure. Its about 65-70ft tall, with an entrance rapid and a funky flake on the lip. Luckily we had a huge group of Huckers... and 10 of us flew off it with varying success.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-495edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7025"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7025" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-495edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Up on the left you can see us all scouting it throughly.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-506edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7026"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7026" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-506edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Rush Droppin in!<br /><br />After some good lines, and some bad ones we re-grouped and continued downstream. With 20 or so miles of class 4 left we camped out on our 2nd night on the river.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-687edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7028"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7028" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-687edit-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="682" /></a><br /><br />Camp night 2.<br /><br />It became evident that mosquistos like young kiwi blood.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/royal-gorge-team-bomb-flow/photos-by-robby-hogg-678edit/" rel="attachment wp-att-7027"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-7027" src="http://www.teamliquidlogic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/photos-by-Robby-Hogg-678edit-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Baby Bird's back after an evening meal at camp.<br /><br />Royal Gorge proved to be one of the most amazing rivers I have ever done. The scenery is awesome, the whitewater is absolutely incredible, and the crew was awesome!<br /><br />Royal Gorge is the first edit in Bomb Flow episode 3! Check it out!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29052846?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=ff0179" width="580" height="326" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/09/royal-gorge-california.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8910707212012662854Wed, 22 Jun 2011 03:00:00 +00002011-06-21T20:19:29.274-07:00A PNW Spring!This spring has been a cold/rainy/snowy one for us all up here in the PNW. It never really warmed up until about a week ago, but that isnt to say that the rivers havent been running. Luckily the rain has kept flows up pretty well, and finally we are getting some snowmelt. The PNW never has disapointed me.. there is something about this climate and the rivers around here that allows for something really good to be in... pretty much all the time. If it isnt local, then its usually only a couple hours away and is probably incredibly high quality. This spring has re-affirmed my thinking that the PNW is easily one of the best places to live as a kayaker. Even during school there is usually class4-5 that is running and possible to rally after classes are<br />done for the day<br />.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bomb-flow-party.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1200" title="bomb flow party" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bomb-flow-party.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />A good crew before a fun couple games of bowling.<br /><br />Early spring is all about runs like Robe Canyon. With so many good class 4/5 rapids in a bigger volume feel, this river is up there with the best.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-03-at-10-46-04-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1225" title="Screen shot 2011-06-03 at 10.46.04 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-03-at-10-46-04-am.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a>The Robe Canyon race was a great time and Robe offered some awesome early season entertainment.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tF65iupa0bU" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br />Jure Poberaj and myself took 6th, While Tao claimed the title.<br />Finally my classes ended for the summer, and i couldnt have been more stoked to get some kayaking in. So stoked we motivated to paddle a small rapid right in downtown bham on whatcom creek.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MutwBWiPGp0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Luckily Bellingham has some incredibly good whitewater just outside of town. The Middle Fork of the Nooksack offers an amazing class 5 run with great boulder garden rapids, then continuing into a beautiful gorge and some great bedrock drops. It is probably one of my top 5 favorite rivers in the world.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-11-02-05-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1208" title="Screen shot 2011-06-12 at 11.02.05 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-11-02-05-am.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Dropping into the first big rapid of the gorge "leap of faith".<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-11-00-55-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1207" title="Screen shot 2011-06-12 at 11.00.55 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-12-at-11-00-55-am.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Looking back up the rapid.<br /><br />I then spent a weekend with the local bham crew, Ryan Bradley clued me in to a waterfall (35ft or so) about 2 hours from bham that nobody had run.Leif Embertson, Ryan and myself headed up there and found it to be at perfect flows. Kindey creek is a small trib to Cascade creek(more of a river actually), and is located up the Skagit river drainage.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kindey-brown.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1201" title="Kindey Brown" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kindey-brown.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />The falls! BROWTOWN!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-58-50-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1216" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.58.50 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-58-50-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Coming into the lip.... treats time. I went first, and good buddy Leif followed right behind with a sick De-la style boof-stomp.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-59-38-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1217" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.59.38 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-59-38-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Leif laying some mad treats... kindey creek style.<br /><br />As spring continued, I made a short trip down to Hood River area to race on the little white and hopefully run a stout on my birthday(june 5th). Yup 22 years old now. I met Up with Evan Garcia, Todd Wells, Sam Friehofer, Erick Johns, Olin and kiwi Ryan Lucas for some good times. Evan and I raced together on the LW race... unfortunately the last couple weeks of school diminished my fitness level and as Evan pulled away from me in the front, i fell behind wheezing and coughing. Any day on the little white is a great day however.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-42-36-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1211" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.42.36 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-42-36-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />LW race... coming hot into boulder sluice.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-44-54-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1212" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.44.54 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-44-54-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Evan in front going quite a bit faster than myself after claiming two titles at the gran prix! He's killing it.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-46-01-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1213" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.46.01 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-46-01-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Sam Freihofer gettin steezy on boulder slucie!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-46-48-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1214" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.46.48 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-46-48-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Todd Wells showing that the LW is his home river and he isnt afraid to throw some downriver freestyle in there.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-00-50-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1218" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.00.50 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-00-50-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Evan doing what he does best.... true treat layin on spirit.<br /><br />After a fun day on the LW, we proceeded to have a fun little gathering at the beaver lodge. We woke up only slightly hungover on my birthday, and got motivated to go fire off a stout. We drove up to the Lewis river, with one thing on our minds, the Upper Lewis Falls. This thing is a stout 25 footer into about 20... with a tricky scrapy lead-in. Evan and Todd ran it and styled it, followed by Erik, then myself and Ryan and Sam. We all had good lines and it couldnt have been a better birthday present to be stoked at the bottom of a super fun drop with all my friends. Pura vida.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-09-51-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1223" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.09.51 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-09-51-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Layin treats on the perfect juicy 15 footer above the stout. this was a super fun little waterfall.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-03-28-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1219" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.03.28 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-03-28-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Myself boofing the top drop big! I landed so hard my skirt exploded, and i ended up running the next 20ftr with no sprayskirt. Luckily i was able to hang on and didnt fill up too much.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-29-44-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1209" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.29.44 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-29-44-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Flying off the top drop.... weeee! if you look closely you can see Todd and Erik down in the pool below.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-30-24-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1210" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.30.24 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-30-24-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />My view at the top of the second drop with no skirt attached! Luckily i was able to get a good boof.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-04-24-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1220" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.04.24 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-04-24-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />The view of myself from the top.<br />Here is a short teaser from the day.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GeQ5Vb9R4SE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />After a great birthday I headed back up to bellingham to find that one of the local creeks was in at a good flow. Clearwater creek is a tributary to the Middle Fork Nooksack and offers some really fun sandstone bedrock boofs.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-04-31-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1202" title="Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 10.04.31 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-04-31-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Dropping into the slot rapid, a fun narrow little slide.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-12-22-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1203" title="Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 10.12.22 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-12-22-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Just another sweet bedrock boof, Clearwater style.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-25-12-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1204" title="Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 10.25.12 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-25-12-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Any rapid named "boofs per minute" is fine in my book.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-26-38-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1205" title="Screen shot 2011-05-16 at 10.26.38 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-05-16-at-10-26-38-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />One of the lower boofs on boofs per minute(BPM?)<br /><br />Here is a short video of Clearwater, or as we call it... C-DUB.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GXtxOVKs-Uw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Then I went to scout a drop that has been on my mind for sometime... Racehorse Creek falls after being first D'd by boomer a couple years ago, i figured it was time we went and checked it out. I scouted it, and found it to be at perfect flows. I sent evan a picture and they flipped a U-turn on their way to MT, and made their way up to Bham.<br /><br />Ryan and Evan ended up being the ones with the balls to step up to this drop, and trust me... its really stout.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-05-14-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1221" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.05.14 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-05-14-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Evan on the top drop, a sweet sliding thing to a good 25 or so footer. Treats!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-06-25-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1222" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 6.06.25 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-6-06-25-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Evan went first on the big one, a crazy 15-20ft drop onto a slide that ends in a tiny pool. He had a good line turning sideways at the end and "hockey stopping"<br /><br />Ryan went next and immediatley convinced me that I wasnt going to run it. He entered only about 6inches to a ft to the right of evan and lets just say it didnt end right.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-47-29-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1215" title="Screen shot 2011-06-21 at 5.47.29 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-21-at-5-47-29-pm.png" alt="" height="318" width="510" /></a><br />Ryan rag-dolling down this slide. It will be a great carnage of the year shot indeed. Luckily he was fine and we went back to Bham to celebrate everyone being ok.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-10-at-1-17-27-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1206" title="Screen shot 2011-06-10 at 1.17.27 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/screen-shot-2011-06-10-at-1-17-27-pm.png" alt="" height="338" width="510" /></a><br />A photo by local Photographer Rhys Logan. here<a href="http://www.rhystomahawk.com/photography-blog/2011/6/10/this-title-sucks.html"> http://www.rhystomahawk.com/photography-blog/2011/6/10/this-title-sucks.html</a> is a link to his website and check out the amazing shots he got that day!!!<br /><br />The next day after a fun-filled night we headed to the best that ballingham has to offer.... The middle fork at a perfect flow.Rhys came and shot some awesome photos again... check out the full story here<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rhystomahawk.com/photography-blog/2011/6/13/raging-yakers-round-2.html">http://www.rhystomahawk.com/photography-blog/2011/6/13/raging-yakers-round-2.html<br /></a><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-8850.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1228" title="kayak2-8850" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-8850.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br /><br />Gnar-Car and Gypsy-Wagon headed to the put in of the MF.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-8917.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1229" title="kayak2-8917" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-8917.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />The Crew gearing up for some Roosting brown MF.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-9073.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1230" title="kayak2-9073" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-9073.jpg" alt="" height="740" width="493" /></a><br />Another sick shot by Rhys... dropping into the MF gorge. Me, Sam, and Evan.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-7481.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1226" title="kayak2-7481" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-7481.jpg" alt="" height="740" width="493" /></a><br />Sam and Eg in the warm-up rapid for the MF gorge. Then it gets real in there. Rhys killing the photos.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-7495.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1227" title="kayak2-7495" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/kayak2-7495.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />And Just around the Corner "leap of faith", the first rapid of the gorge.<br /><br />Evan made a small day edit from the MF.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7cf9agNzn68" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />As a matter of fact, the MF is running right now and I must go get my boof on. Signing off here, until next time-Fred<br /><br />Stay tuned.. there will be tons of amazing videos coming to Bomb Flow TV soon. We will be dropping our Chile footage Bomb Flow TV Episode 1- Chile soon as well as all the stuff here in Bomb Flow Episode 2- PNW style.<br /><br />Now get out there and go kayaking! its summer after all!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/06/pnw-spring.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-5492070245272435623Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:52:00 +00002011-04-21T12:01:56.102-07:00BOMB FLOW TVBomb Flow TV is an internet based series of HD kayaking entertainment brought to you by Myself and Evan Garcia in conjunction with Bomb Flow Magazine, a new kayaking mag brought to you by Bomb Snow and Tyler Bradt.www.bombflow.com Every month or two weeks there will be a new online video up that will have some of the best footage from coolest kayaking around the world. Evan and I have been working on coming up with something to do with our footage for a long time and this is it. The future of online kayak videos. Check out the teaser here, and make sure to stay tuned for Episode 1!<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="700" height="400" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tI1K4t4npig" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Cheers! And a big thanks to Anton Immler who has also helped us tremendously with the use of his footage.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/04/bomb-flow-tv.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-279139843155885253Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:55:00 +00002011-03-15T13:04:18.147-07:00Dipper Creek 2010Well I know this post is pretty late but i thought i would put up some pictures, a video and a little story from the few weekends I spent there this past October. Dipper Creek was 1st Descented by The Range Life guys back in 2008. They walked up and down the creek and scouted it all out to make sure it would be good. Thanks to them this creek has now become one of my favorite. Dipper is located past the Elaho drainage up the Squamish river in British Columbia. In 2009 I went to dipper and had the time of my life, and 2010 was just as good and a little more scary with higher water. Dipper Creek is the true creeking experience. It flows from a glacier high in the Tantalus Range and weaves its way into the most committing and beautiful gorges ive ever been in. The gorge walls on your sides are shear 400 foot cliffs. The creek starts off with a bang with a stout double drop "Double Dip" then continues quickly into "Big Dipper" a stout 70 ft tall slide that ends in a huge hit as you slide into pretty much green-water. Then it goes something like this... 20 ft slide... perfect 30 ftr, Long stout slide "Roudy Flatwater"... and it just keeps going. The majority of the time in the creek there is no way out unless your friends are on the rim and vertically extract you. It includes a very involved portage which although not a very long portage, takes about an hour to complete because of all the roping, rapeling and sketchy climbing involved. It then goes into another gorge where you still cannot escape. And in the midst of all this there has somehow been a way through the creek the past 3 years. Luckily. The next gorge is one of the coolest places in the world indeed... vertigo gorge. You drop into an incredible teacup with huge mossy gorge walls, but only after you drop a pretty stout 25ftr with a hard to boof sliding entrance that lands in a small pocket. Basically this creek is the true creeking experience because the rapids are scary, you are comitted, there are portages, and its incredibly beautiful. Its a great time!<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7538.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1154" title="IMG_7538" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7538.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Brian Burger, Niko Peha, and Ethan Smith chillin at the campsite at the take-out of dipper.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7832.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1157" title="IMG_7832" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7832.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Still from a timelapse I shot... Cool glow from the campfire!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7905.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1158" title="IMG_7905" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7905.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />The massive tree at out campsite.... the loggers left this one standing.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7914.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1166" title="IMG_7914" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7914.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />You know its cold when.... Morning at dipper in october.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7912.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1164" title="IMG_7912" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7912.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Brian pretty stoked to paddle!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7930.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1174" title="IMG_7930" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7930.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Me, Jonas and Ben stoked to have finished the Upper and Middle Gorges with no real troubles.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7935.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1178" title="IMG_7935" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7935.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Waking up at 7am in a rain-soaked tent after a classic BC night... Just hoping that the vertigo gorge is not too high after some rain.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_7954.jpg"></a><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_79541.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1180" title="IMG_7954" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_79541-e1300218603517.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="765" /></a><br /><br />Brian Burger dropping into the depths of Vertigo Gorge.<br /><br />I wish I had more pics for ya... but most of my focus was on video.<br /><br />Speaking of...<br /><br />Here is the Vid.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19868405?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="700" height="580" frameborder="0"></iframe>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/03/dipper-creek-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8695863524995244236Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:22:00 +00002011-03-11T13:27:22.242-08:00Pucon Season... ChileWell recently i've really been slacking on blog updates. I am back in the cold, rainy northwest corner of washington state waiting for some snow to melt so i can get out on the rivers. Reflecting on my time in chile, it was easily some of the best months of my life. I worked hard on the filming side of things this trip so most of my pictures in this blog will be from friends. Pucon is really the epicenter for great creeking in chile. It's an amazingly cool little mountain town with an incredible amount of beautiful an fun rivers right close by. The rivers around Pucon offer a couple different styles of creeking.... big waterfalls on the palguin... granite slides on the nevado.... ridiculously fun boulder garden rapids on the rio puesco... technical low volume drops on the carhuello.... stacked basalt waterfalls and slides on the turbio... the list goes on. I spent quite a bit of time in pucon this year and we had some really good times, and sometimes we even had good lines.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8475hdr-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1111" title="IMG_8475hdr copy" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8475hdr-copy.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Volcan Villarica on Christmas day in HDR. Shot from Ian's place in Pucon.... A beautiful sunset with a great backdrop.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8477hdr.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1112" title="IMG_8477HDR" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8477hdr.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><br />Another HDR shot from the same location!<br /><br />The Turbio is a small creek outside Pucon that only runs with heavy rainfall. It is a very unique creek that carves its way through a basalt canyon with lush vegetation. This place is the closest place to Jurassic Park that I have ever seen. It rained hard and we woke to a perfect level for the Upper Turbio Stout.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3030hdr-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1097" title="DSCF3030hdr copy" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3030hdr-copy.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />Looking at the "stout" at the top of the Rio Turbio..<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/turbio-stout.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1124" title="Turbio stout" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/turbio-stout.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="720" /></a><br />Stoked to have run such a cool complicated rapid. Good times. Photo:LJ<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/eg-turbio.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1102" title="EG turbio" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/eg-turbio.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="720" /></a><br />Evan about to bomb off the 25ftr then directly into the slide! Photo:LJ<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/turbio-johnson.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1133" title="Turbio Johnson" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/turbio-johnson.jpg" alt="" width="468" height="649" /></a><br />Stoutmaster Erik Johnson on the Turbio stout.Photo: EG<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/johnson-steeze.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1135" title="Johnson steeze" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/johnson-steeze.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="720" /></a><br />Like i said... hes a stout master.. Erik layin treats. Photo:LJ<br /><br />This rapid is very unique with a 25ft waterfall then straight into a technical slide with a big hole at the end. It's a good one.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_3018-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1105" title="IMG_3018 copy" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_3018-copy.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Volcan Villarica at night... Long exposure. Photo:Fred<br /><br />Middle Palguin is the Local "stout" Its the best, cleanest, softest, safest and one of the most fun 70 fters out there. It doesnt get much better than this for tall waterfalls. This waterfall is easily one of my favorites because it always seems to be good. At high water, it sends you to the depths into a frothing choas... but usually lets you go with no scratches. At low water as long as you have a decent line, it is just so soft and smooth. Middle Palguin has a place in my heart for sure.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3166hdr-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1099" title="DSCF3166HDR copy" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3166hdr-copy.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />Fusilli, Thinhrum and Myself getting ready to fall off Medio.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3173.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1100" title="DSCF3173" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/dscf3173.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />Thinhrum seal launching into the Middle.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/eg-stout-10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1101" title="EG stout 10" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/eg-stout-10.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="720" /></a><br />EG the killa running stout 10, soon to fall off middle directly afterwards. Photo: Eric Parker<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mp-fred.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1117" title="MP fred" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mp-fred.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="680" /></a><br />Myself all in the Hyrup with a little boof-stomp action.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_1087_1hdr.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1104" title="IMG_1087_1HDR" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_1087_1hdr.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Myself on my first run of the season... get that bow down. Photo by Tom.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8211.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1108" title="IMG_8211" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8211.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Just a little preview of what went down on the filming side of things. Getting those dolly shots dialed at the MP lip.<br /><br />The Palguin Race added some fun to the summer!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/palguin-race.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1119" title="palguin race" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/palguin-race.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="695" /></a><br />The Upper Palguin race... Erik in the top hole about to steeze out a loop, myself upside down boofing the second drop, with Seth directly under me. Luckily no one got severely injured.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8467-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1110" title="IMG_8467 copy" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_8467-copy.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Evan and Jared enjoying some delicious Crystal beer on Christmas day.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9129.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1113" title="IMG_9129" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9129.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />A bunch of dirty gringo kayakers having a nice Asado for Christmas dinner.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/new-years.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1118" title="new years" src="http://soulgip<br />sy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/new-years.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a>The crew all dressed up in drag ready for a fun time on New Years.<br /><br />The Puesco is one of my favorite rivers in the world. It flows from the argentina border towards the small town of Currarehue (about 20 min outside of pucon). It has continuous steep gradient all the way from the base of Volcan La Nin to the bottom of the valley in Currarehue. This gradient is not occupied by waterfalls, but rather a couple hundred really fun boulder garden rapids. This is truly an amazing place and I cannot explain how fun the puesco is!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/puesco.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1120" title="puesco" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/puesco.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />Another beautiful sunny day on the Rio Puesco. I love this place it is incredible. One of my top 2 rivers in the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-12-01-17-pm1.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1137" title="Screen shot 2011-03-11 at 12.01.17 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-12-01-17-pm1.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />One of the 3 million great boofs on the Puesco in the middle of the Tres Truncos rapid. I love this river!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/skiing-villarica.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1123" title="skiing villarica" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/skiing-villarica.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Skiing on Volcan Villarica in December... what an incredible view! I was able to ski the volcano twice when i was there.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9297.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1115" title="IMG_9297" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9297.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Don't fall in... The crater on the top of the volcano.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9286.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1114" title="IMG_9286" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9286.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />The view from the top... the town of pucon, lago villarica and lago caburga with more volcanoes in the background.<br /><br />The Rio Nevado is probably one of the most fun rivers out there. It starts with an incredilby fun granite slide, then continues with fun waterfalls and unique granite boofs and slides. It runs through a beautiful canyon and is really the mini-cali of chile.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cheers-nevado.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1094" title="Cheers nevado" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/cheers-nevado.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Cheers to another great day on the Nevado... at the takeout of course.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/brown-nev.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1092" title="Brown nev" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/brown-nev.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="352" /></a><br />Brownin on the slide! Photo :EG<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-56-50-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1129" title="Screen shot 2011-03-11 at 11.56.50 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-56-50-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />A little stern mounted GoPro Action here... The slide again.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/crack-drop-nev.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1095" title="Crack drop nev" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/crack-drop-nev.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="313" /></a><br />"crack drop" Photo:EG<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-55-38-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1128" title="Screen shot 2011-03-11 at 11.55.38 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-55-38-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />GoPro shot of "Wall Falls"<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-01-26-at-6-35-39-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1122" title="Screen shot 2011-01-26 at 6.35.39 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-01-26-at-6-35-39-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Coming over the Lip of "Demshitz Drop.. the tallest and most stout rapid on the nevado.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-57-50-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1130" title="Screen shot 2011-03-11 at 11.57.50 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-57-50-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Stern Mounted GoPro.... Dropping Into Demshitz drop!!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-58-43-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1131" title="Screen shot 2011-03-11 at 11.58.43 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/screen-shot-2011-03-11-at-11-58-43-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Evan laying some incredibly g-d out treats on Nutrients... one of the best boofs around.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9455.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1116" title="IMG_9455" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_9455.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Griff and I Chillin in the beautiful lower nevado gorge!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/carhuellos-stout.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1093" title="carhuellos stout" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/carhuellos-stout.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Rodrigo's First D on the Carhuello. This thing was a stout!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/crew-latitude.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1096" title="Crew latitude" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/crew-latitude.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />The Crew In Latitude 39, our favorite restaurant in Pucon with ice cold beer and delicious food. Me, Evan, Thin, Anton.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_3622.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1106" title="IMG_3622" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_3622.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />And on the last night before Thin and I left for the US, we drank Pisco and in true chilean fashion Evan cut my hair into a flourishing Chocapanda or in english Mullet!<br /><br />The Pucon Season this year was super fun and we were able to paddle some of my favorite rivers in the world. Pura Vida!<br /><br />My footage from chile will be online sometime but in which form we are not sure yet stay posted....http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/03/pucon-season-chile.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-1382061493857160961Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:58:00 +00002011-01-15T15:02:32.356-08:00Patagonia... So Much Beautiful!After an amazing trip north to the rio claro, we returned back to pucon for a few days of the classics. We then motivated to head south. We gathered a solid crew, Fusilli, Myself, Nicole, Anton, and Thinhrum. Although Pucon surely has incredible kayaking and is a fun town to be in, there is a lot to be said for traveling all over the country of Chile. There is something incredible about exploring this place. The longer I stay here, the more I want to explore and find cool rivers and beautiful places. This is exactly what we did on this trip. We first hit the rio llancahue. On just the other side of rio palguin, the llancahue is a super fun run with incredible scenery.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0500.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1018" title="IMG_0500" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0500.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Thinhrum stoked to be on the road.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0487_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1026" title="IMG_0487_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0487_1.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="184" /></a>A very cool lizard chillin out at the Llancahue.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-55-12-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1040" title="Screen shot 2010-12-27 at 1.55.12 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-55-12-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />A screen shot from my GoPro of the bridge rapid on the llancahue.<br /><br />After a nice lap an the llancahue, we checked out one of the most stout rapids in chile. The Dirty Gerd.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_05171.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1028" title="IMG_0517" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_05171.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="765" /></a>Oh yea... the dirty!<br /><br />Chile is an incredible place. The further south I go in this place, the more beautiful it gets.<br />We then headed a bit further south near Lago Ranco to an awesome river, Rio Florin.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1395.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1038" title="IMG_1395" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1395.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Lago Ranco is an amazing place indeed.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1392.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1037" title="IMG_1392" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1392.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0543_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1032" title="IMG_0543_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0543_1.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />This was our campsite at the Florin. Gotta love this place!!<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0538.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1031" title="IMG_0538" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0538.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Nightime at the Florin.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0532.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1030" title="IMG_0532" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0532.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />The hot springs at the Florin. Chillin out drinkin 5 liters of delicious chilean wine. We woke with mild hangovers for a beautiful thanksgiving day on the Rio Florin.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-56-49-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1041" title="Screen shot 2010-12-27 at 1.56.49 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-56-49-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a>A screen shot from my GoPro dropping the Big One on the florin.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-2-01-46-pm.png"><br /></a><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-2-04-18-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1045" title="Screen shot 2010-12-27 at 2.04.18 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-2-04-18-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a>Nicole Mansfield firing it up! Running the big one!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0600_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1033" title="IMG_0600_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0600_1.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a>Thanksgiving day with demshitz!<br /><br />We then continued our journey south to the rio corrine... A super beautiful fun class 4+ river.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0613.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1034" title="IMG_0613" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0613.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Our campsite at the Corrine! True gypsy style!!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0619.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1036" title="IMG_0619" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0619.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Beautiful mountain view from our campsite.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-58-04-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1042" title="Screen shot 2010-12-27 at 1.58.04 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-58-04-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />You know life is good when this is what ur looking at.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0618.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1035" title="IMG_0618" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0618.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="765" /></a><br /><br />On the Corrine there is a natural land bridge where the river literally dug a hole through the earth. Very cool gorge here.<br /><br />After a day on the corrine, we decided to check out a small tributary to it. We put on and found a few very cool drops and a 30 footer that unfortunately didnt go.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-59-03-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1043" title="Screen shot 2010-12-27 at 1.59.03 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-27-at-1-59-03-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Here is one of the more fun drops we found.<br /><br />After good times at the corrine, we packed up again and headed far south to Puerto Montt where we caught a ferry over to Hornopiren. Hornopiren is home to a super fun river called the rio Negro.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/img_1706.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1051" title="IMG_1706" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/img_1706.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Chillin out on the Ferry to Hornopiren.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/img_1711.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1052" title="IMG_1711" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/img_1711.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Driving the long dusty road to hornopiren... Carretera Austral.<br /><br />After arriving in Hornopiren we spent a few fun filled days running the rio Negro and camping out in an amazing place. The Negro is a super fun run in a very cool basalt riverbed with tons of awesome boofs and clean waterfalls. It was cold and rained almost the whole time we were there, the weather in southern chile is very unpredictable.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-36-02-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1059" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.36.02 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-36-02-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />The take out... right at our campsite. Anton being a stuntman in the background.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-39-47-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1064" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.39.47 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-39-47-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Fusilli and I ready to lay some treats.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-31-30-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1053" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.31.30 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-31-30-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Fusilli layin that brown down!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-32-13-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1055" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.32.13 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-32-13-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Anton flying off an awesome perfect 20 footer.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-32-53-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1056" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.32.53 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-32-53-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Thinhrum with the lookback brown.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-41-36-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1067" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.41.36 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-41-36-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />One of our favorite rapids... A sweet winding entrance to a treats 6 footer.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-40-21-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1065" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.40.21 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-40-21-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />How do you get wet wood to light? yes.. add gasoline.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-37-45-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1061" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.37.45 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-37-45-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Standard procedure. Brown it.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-42-20-pm.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1068" title="Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 5.42.20 PM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/screen-shot-2011-01-15-at-5-42-20-pm.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Crazy Swedes and their shoe surfing!<br /><br />We then Returned to Pucon to greet the arrival of more demshitz!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_3018.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1039" title="IMG_3018" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_3018.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Here is a long exposure shot of volcan villarica... Check out the glow from the lava.<br /><br />check back for a pucon update!<br /><br />&nbsp;http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2011/01/patagonia-so-much-beautiful.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-1224906146863600926Sun, 12 Dec 2010 12:38:00 +00002010-12-12T04:41:31.232-08:00Chile! Rio Claro and PuconWell I have made it to chile after lots and lots of traveling. I cant express how much i love it down here. It is an incredibly beautiful country and has of course some of the best kayaking in the world. We arrived after 10 hours of flying, then spent ALL DAY sitting at a bus station in santiago awaiting a bus down to pucon. <a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/dscf3018.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-999" title="DSCF3018" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/dscf3018.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />Gypsy Life!!<br />We caught our bus and 10 more hours later we arrived. Ian picked us up and we headed to the rio turbio.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/dscf3036.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-966" title="DSCF3036" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/dscf3036.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />After a day and a half of rest we got our kayaks and loaded up for an amazing trip north to the Rio Claro! The claro is an incredible river in a very unique basalt gorge. Its one of the most amazing places I've ever been.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/dscf3063.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-968" title="DSCF3063" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/dscf3063.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="382" /></a><br />A rediculous stout at the claro.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_9896.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-992" title="IMG_9896" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_9896.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" /></a><br />In the deep incredible gorges of the claro.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-45-34-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-993" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.45.34 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-45-34-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a> The Garganta del diablo "throat of the devil".<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-46-27-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-995" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.46.27 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-46-27-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Nicole Firing down the stout.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-46-49-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-996" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.46.49 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-46-49-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a> Fusilli doing the same.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-44-48-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-998" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.44.48 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-44-48-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />A still from my helmet cam. This is one of the most unique rapids i have ever run. Its incredible in the deep gorge of the claro, at some spots it will be flat water but only 2 feet wide. Very Cool.<br /><br />After the garganta, you drop into gorges that are incredibly narrow, and a couple rapids are super narrow slides.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-45-59-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-994" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.45.59 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-45-59-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Thinhrum running the second one.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-48-04-am.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-997" title="Screen shot 2010-12-12 at 8.48.04 AM" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/screen-shot-2010-12-12-at-8-48-04-am.png" alt="" width="510" height="318" /></a><br />Here is my view of the same rapid.<br /><br />After spending 4 days at the Claro, I must say it is easily one of my favorite rivers. Its warm, the drops are very clean and the canyon is one of the coolest places in the world. Me encanta este rio.<br />Here is the video I made from our trip down to chile, and the days we spent at the rio claro.<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17248800" width="600" height="500" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/17248800">Rio Claro, Chile W/Demshitz</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />We then headed back down south to Pucon. After some deliberation, we headed to the middle palguin.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1087.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1001" title="IMG_1087" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_1087.jpg" alt="" width="510" height="340" /></a><br />Flying down the stout!<br /><br />Here is a sweet video from our first middle palguin run. Big thanks to Immersion Research for making a sprayskirt that i dont worry about imploding.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17251084" width="600" height="500" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/17251084">Middle Palguin w/ Immersion Research</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />We paddled a lot of the pucon goods for the next few days, the nevado, the upper palguin,the carhuello. We then decided to pack up our stuff and head south. Stay tuned for more from chile!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/12/chile-rio-claro-and-pucon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-422473379100989103Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:46:00 +00002010-10-19T12:50:33.360-07:00Fear Canyon of the ElahoThis is the final installment of Evan, Candace, and myself's trip to BC this summer. We headed for an evening run on the classic big water run in the upper squamish river valley drainage. As we bombed through some sweet rapids without scouting( Evan had done the run 3 years prior) Evan got stuck in a nasty hole and had an intense beatdown. I'll let the video tell the rest of the story.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-fear.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-958" title="fred fear" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-fear.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />Here is a photo of me running the last rapid on a later trip this summer. Photo by steve arns.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14616401" frameborder="0" height="600" width="700"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14616401">Fear Canyon Of the Elaho</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><br />Thanks to my Watershed drybag, and a great amount of pure luck, my beloved Canon 7D was returned.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/10/fear-canyon-of-elaho.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-7020926055731800859Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:24:00 +00002010-10-11T00:27:22.667-07:00Tatlow Creek, BCTatlow is one of those creeks that i've been hearing of for a while, and although I never really knew exactly what is was like, I knew it was good. My assumptions were confirmed this summer when Evan Garcia, Candace Sanders, Steve Rogers and myself hiked for hours just to reach this beautiful place. And when I say beautiful, I mean it. Tatlow is a creek coming out of the high mountains near squamish, BC. If you know much about BC, you know its one of the wildest places around. Going up into the mountains in BC gives you that real "im out in the wilderness feeling". After hiking about 5 miles or so, on which I happened to forget water like a true unprepared gypsy, we made it to the river and drank a few CFS of water to fuel us. We were then greeted by some of the best rapids and waterfalls to be found. It was a great time even though I thought I might pass out from dehydration. Candace and Steve hiked into the creek right at the best stack of waterfalls with a great 40 ft slide in it. It was another great day on the river.<br /><br />Check out this sweet Video Evan and I created from our day on the river.<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14589594" frameborder="0" height="500" width="600"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14589594">Tatlow Creek, BC</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/evan-tatlow-bridge-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-949" title="Evan Tatlow Bridge Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/evan-tatlow-bridge-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br />Evan after a couple miles of flat... about to tackle the steep hike up. Which proved to be very hard without water and in the summer BC heat.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/road-to-tatlow-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-953" title="Road to Tatlow Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/road-to-tatlow-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br /><br />Typical abandoned BC logging roads when hiking to the creek.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-paddle-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-951" title="Fred Paddle Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-paddle-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br /><br />Me paddling below the infamous "wall drug" rapid.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/evan-and-fred-tatlo-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-948" title="Evan and Fred Tatlo Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/evan-and-fred-tatlo-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>The money shot, Evan and I dropping over the 40 ft slide.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-40-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-950" title="Fred 40 Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/fred-40-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br /><br />Sliding down rocks is fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/nymph-pool-slow-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-952" title="Nymph Pool Slow Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/nymph-pool-slow-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Another amazing photo by Candace!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/tatlow-bridge-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-955" title="Tatlow Bridge Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/tatlow-bridge-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>BC mountain wilderness at it's finest.<br /><br />All shots by Candace Sanders.<br /><br />This summer's BC tour was one of the most fun kayak trips ive been on. We had a great time hiking around in the mountains and doing some really quality kayaking.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/10/tatlow-creek-bc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-3652968353235359997Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:42:00 +00002010-09-19T18:46:28.566-07:00Ashlu Box Canyon and Browtin LionsIts a good feeling when a very large mountain lion right outside your tent leaves. This is how I felt on one of the nights me evan, and candace spent in BC. After an intense game of go fish, we finally settled down to sleep at our campsot near mamquam falls. I awoke in the night due to my gypsy therma-rest deflating. I lay awake listening to the BC wilderness outside. After laying for sometime I noticed very faint footsteps just a few feet away. My mind ran.... Bear, no the footsteps are too soft(but still sounded prominent). It only could be one thing really; most our worst fears of being out in the wilderness is the danger of mountain lions or cougars as we call them up here in the northwest. I lay frozen to the ground. After concluding that yes there was indeed a cougar right outside my tent. I decided to simply wait it out and hope that it wouldn't attack me. After laying there still with adrenaline pumping through my veins in that oh so primitive survival mode that we all get when in danger, I waited and after several instances where i could literally here the cougar sniff my tent feet from my head the cougar had seemed to leave. I no longer heard and soft cat-like steps outside my tent. I then fell back asleep and woke with the sun shining through my tent. I got up, unzipped my tent and greeted the day. The nagging thought that a cougar was very close to my tent was confirmed when just outside my tent, and all around the camp there were very large catlike footprints. We arose, cooked some breakfast and I asked Evan and Candace if they had heard the footsteps outside our tents, they both had slept through it. It was further confirmed when Candace walked down the road, and with the sides of the road being heavily wooded and lush heard something following her. She called us and we came and threw some rocks into the woods to possibly scare it. We got back to camp, packed up our gear as fast as possible and peaced out. Close call. We then proceeded to the Squamish Adventure Center and checked flows on the internet. Candace searched cougar instances in Squamish, and found that a couple had a stand-off with a full grown cougar right exactly where we were camped. Here is the <a href="http://www.squamishchief.com/article/20090608/SQUAMISH0101/306089906/-1/SQUAMISH/cougars-approach-cyclists-and-children-at-local-recreation-areas">article</a><br />After escaping narrowly with our lives(exaggeration) we headed up to the Ashlu Box Canyon, one of the best kayak runs in the world in my opinion and had a great day.<br />All photos by Candace Sanders... some of the sickest shots eva!<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ashlu-downstream-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-930" title="Ashlu Downstream Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/ashlu-downstream-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />Looking downstream at 50/50... one of the hardest rapids to style that ive run.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/evan-50-50-top-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-932" title="Evan 50 50 Top Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/evan-50-50-top-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />EG doing his thing and making a frothing stout look easy. As usual<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/evan-50-50-bottom-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-931" title="Evan 50 50 Bottom Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/evan-50-50-bottom-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />Evan with one of the sickest lines i've ever seen. Its a rare occasion that 50/50 gives you a line you can really stomp out and be proud of. EG hit this one perfecto and did a massive flying boof.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-pre-50-brown-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-938" title="Fred Pre 50 Brown Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-pre-50-brown-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />A pre-stout brown keeps everyone happy and regular.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-50-50-watermark1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-936" title="Fred 50 50 Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-50-50-watermark1.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />Me dropping into the froth only to be rejected and plug deep.Out of the 5 times I have run this rapid, twice I have had great lines and three times I have gotten beasted... im thinking next time i have a high chance of styling it if it were to live up to its 50/50 nature.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-winding-up-the-boof-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-939" title="Fred Winding Up the Boof Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-winding-up-the-boof-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br />Finally it happened, that moment where it all went the way you could hope. The brief instance in time that makes me so happy to where I can officially say I want to be a kayaker till the day I die. I finally hit a really sweet line. Here I am leaning it over, only to bring it back and boof it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-50-steaze-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-937" title="Fred 50 Steaze Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-50-steaze-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br />Airing it out- probably the best feeling around.<br /><br />The next day we headed back to the Box and met up with Bryan Smith, Tim Loubier and Kevin who brought something special for us to play with.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/41051_590528125316_57509186_34126017_423283_n.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-943" title="41051_590528125316_57509186_34126017_423283_n" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/41051_590528125316_57509186_34126017_423283_n.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />Oh yea! the Phantom HD gold. up to 1,000 frames per second in crystal clear HD. Be sure to check out the footage once Bryan gets done color grading and editing. here is a small teaser.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14621351" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14621351">Reel Water Phantom Tease</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1213814">Bryan Smith</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />We then did some Laps on 50/50 and the small drop just above the Bridge. It was a rad day here are some sweet pics.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/44384_590527905756_57509186_34126002_601304_n.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-944" title="44384_590527905756_57509186_34126002_601304_n" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/44384_590527905756_57509186_34126002_601304_n.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />EG with the back-boof.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-10-brown-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-933" title="Fred 10 Brown Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/fred-10-brown-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br />Brown!<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/shane-50-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-941" title="Shane 50 Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/shane-50-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a><br />Shane Robinson droppin into 50/50.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/greg-wavewheel-watermark.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-940" title="Greg Wavewheel Watermark" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/greg-wavewheel-watermark.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a><br />Greg bustin a fat freewheel like its his job.<br /><br />Here is a Sweet Video Evan and I put together from some footage we collected on our GoPro's and my 7D.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14570754" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14570754">Ashlu Box Canyon</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/brownton-yion.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-934" title="Brownton Yion" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/brownton-yion.jpg" alt="" height="321" width="374" /></a><br /><br />GRRRR!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/09/ashlu-box-canyon-and-browtin-lions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8208474959521909856Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:04:00 +00002010-08-31T11:06:12.285-07:00Crystal Gorge 2010A few weeks ago after being in Salt Lake City for the outdoor retailer show, Evan Garcia, Candace Sanders and myself made the drive back to my hometown of Carbondale, CO. The saying home is where the heart is is true, being home was great, and Evan and I were stoked to find that Crystal Gorge, one of the best kayaking runs in CO was in fact running. We loaded up the flatbed ranch truck and drove up into the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Marble,CO has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Here are some amazing photos that Candace shot of another great day in the good old CO.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/crystal-gorge-pretty-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/crystal-gorge-pretty-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Crystal Gorge Pretty Watermark" width="510" height="340" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-914" /></a><br />Looking down into the town of Marble,CO.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/crystal-meth-gorge-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/crystal-meth-gorge-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Crystal Meth Gorge Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-915" /></a><br />Evan and I above the lower gorge.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/frederick-zoot-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/frederick-zoot-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Frederick Zoot Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-922" /></a><br />Me on Zute Chute.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-on-zoot-chute-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-on-zoot-chute-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Evan on Zoot Chute Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-920" /></a><br />EG steezin out a nice boof stomp.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/eg-and-gnarquist-crystal-meth.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/eg-and-gnarquist-crystal-meth.jpg" alt="" title="EG and Gnarquist Crystal Meth" width="510" height="340" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-916" /></a><br />Evan and I chillin in the Gorge. This is one of my favorite places of all time. The inner crystal gorge is a magical place, its very narrow and incredibly beautiful down there.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-crystal-meth-celebration-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-crystal-meth-celebration-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Evan Crystal Meth Celebration Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-918" /></a><br />Clearly Evan feels the same way.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/fred-face-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/fred-face-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Fred Face Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-921" /></a><br />After Eg ran, I proceeded to gloriously catch an edge and eat shit. Made for a great photo!<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-crystal-overlook-watermark.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/evan-crystal-overlook-watermark.jpg" alt="" title="Evan Crystal Overlook Watermark" width="510" height="765" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-919" /></a><br />Evan looking onto MIller Falls, a set of stacked frothing stout waterfalls just below the inner gorge, they have yet to be fired up.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/penny-hotsprings.jpg"><img src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/penny-hotsprings.jpg" alt="" title="Penny Hotsprings" width="510" height="340" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-923" /></a>On the drive back home we were lucky enough to hit Penny hot springs, a nice natural hot springs right on the river. Check out this sweet video from the day.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14011236" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14011236">Crystal Gorge 2010 W/LiquidLogic</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/few-weeks-ago-after-being-in-salt-lake.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-7524884962406320233Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:31:00 +00002010-08-20T11:31:28.247-07:00Callaghan Creek Festival 2010A few weeks ago was the Calaghan creek festival near Whistler,BC. Calaghan creek is a beautiful classic BC creek with sick rapids and beautiful scenery. The festival was to raise awareness about the fact that like most creeks in BC, the Calaghan has a hydropower license on it, and could be dammed soon. Being one of the most beautiful and fun creeks in BC, it would be a terrible thing to lose this river. Some of our most precious creeks are already lost to damming projects, like the Ashlu. We need to fight the damming of rivers like this. The festival itself was a great time. We camped right at the Calaghan takeout. The race was a huge success. There were 18 people in the race altogether and about 10 people paddled the creek that day running safety and enjoying the sunshine. There were about 20 spectators that hiked in to watch the race at the biggest waterfall. I was surprised to find out that Kurt and I won the race because there was some competition for sure. And just like any event it wouldn't be complete without a little carnage, a few swims were had and only a few kayaks were broken. Here are the final race results.<br /><br />Fred Norquist - Kurt Braunlich - 16:55<br /><br />Matt Kompass - Ben Hawthorne - 17:09<br /><br />Mark Basso - Benjamin Hjørt - 17:23<br /><br />Greg Dashper - Mikael Aubin - 17:29<br /><br />Jakub Drnec - Matt Mackinnon - 18:17<br /><br />Jordie Mackenzie - Bryce Shaw - 18:31<br /><br />Spencer Cox - Sean Allen - 20:05<br /><br />Ali Marshall - Steve Arns - 23:40<br /><br />Jonas Grünewald - Leif Embertson - DNF<br /><br />Cold river cooled beers were had at the takeout followed by a short awards ceremony and then talk from Jakub Drnec of the BC Creek Protection Society. We then started the party up by watching huckin huge's new flick, Haymaker. A good time was had by all, and it was all in the name of saving the calaghan. Steve Rogers shot some incredible photos of the event, check them out.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-847" title="pol2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol2.jpg" alt="" height="383" width="510" /></a><br />Steve Arns talking about how the race works.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol23.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-876" title="pol23" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol23.jpg" alt="" height="399" width="510" /></a><br />The scene before the start.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-870" title="pol5" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol5.jpg" alt="" height="386" width="510" /></a><br />Kurt and Leif chillin pre-race.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-867" title="pol10" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol10.jpg" alt="" height="671" width="510" /></a><br />Me chillin before the start of the race.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-880" title="calfest2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest2.jpg" alt="" height="766" width="510" /></a><br />Layin treats on the top 15 footer.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-873" title="calfest1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest1.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />Spectators watching just a regular old spectator sport?<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest7.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-848" title="calfest7" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest7.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />Jakub and Matt coming through a sweet curly rapid just below the first waterfall.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol9.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-862" title="pol9" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol9.jpg" alt="" height="383" width="510" /></a><br />Ali and Jonas chatting about something.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-853" title="calfest4" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest4.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />Me in front with Kurt right on my tail. We were running close.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-882" title="calfest10" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest10.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />A crumpled nose. Calaghan is not super nice to vacant kayaks.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest9.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-874" title="calfest9" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/calfest9.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br />Observing the damage.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol17.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-860" title="pol17" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol17.jpg" alt="" height="383" width="510" /></a><br />3rd place- Mark Basso and Benny Hjort<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol15.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-878" title="pol15" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol15.jpg" alt="" height="383" width="510" /></a><br />Ben Hawthorne and Matt Kompass taking second. Nice work guys.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol16.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-861" title="pol16" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol16.jpg" alt="" height="382" width="510" /></a><br />Me and Kurt taking the victory south of the border to Bham.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol11.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-850" title="pol11" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/pol11.jpg" alt="" height="624" width="510" /></a><br />Max getting his party on!<br /><br />Overall the event was a great success. Everyone had fun, and i'm excited for next year. Calaghan truly is a beautiful run!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/callaghan-creek-festival-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8938589797005021559Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:39:00 +00002010-08-20T11:09:29.212-07:00Interior BCRecently Ive been paddling quite a bit actually. One of the better trips was a few weeks ago to Revelstoke, BC area. We left Bellingham around 9pm, and started the 7 hour drive to Revelstoke. We arrived at a makeshift campsite at around 4am. We slept, woke up and rallied the rest of the drive into Revelstoke. After meeting up with our friends Joey and Blair, we found that the Pingston was too low. After much debate we headed to one of the cleanest 60ish footers around, Sutherland falls.<br />And it was a good flow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6-gjbETSI/AAAAAAAACZ8/Dyc2WywzftI/s1600/SutherlandBlair.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6-gjbETSI/AAAAAAAACZ8/Dyc2WywzftI/s400/SutherlandBlair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507548860794555682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Blair Trotman ran first and had a great line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2HiEs_vxI/AAAAAAAACYk/1kTGkyfei3I/s1600/fred_blanket_b_low.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2HiEs_vxI/AAAAAAAACYk/1kTGkyfei3I/s400/fred_blanket_b_low.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502703339164385042" border="0" /></a><br />I ran next, and did somewhat of a boof to stomp. It didn't hurt at all surprisingly, probably one of the softest landings ever, even though it didnt look like it.<br /><br />I was fired up, so i ran back up and ran it again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_XThqOsI/AAAAAAAACaE/Hdzxttd-wos/s1600/SutherlandFred1_A.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_XThqOsI/AAAAAAAACaE/Hdzxttd-wos/s400/SutherlandFred1_A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507549801420044994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Hh1yR40I/AAAAAAAACYc/ca2_qDnjGYg/s1600/fred_blanket_above.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Hh1yR40I/AAAAAAAACYc/ca2_qDnjGYg/s400/fred_blanket_above.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502703335160013634" border="0" /></a>This time I had a decent line, plugging but twisting a bit at the end. It hurt much more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Hifn8blI/AAAAAAAACYs/2Q2tEi7mSYY/s1600/todd_blanket_b_low.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Hifn8blI/AAAAAAAACYs/2Q2tEi7mSYY/s400/todd_blanket_b_low.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502703346390953554" border="0" /></a>Todd ran next having by far the best line of the day. Unfortunately his paddle caught the water wrong and his shoulder was dislocated on impact. We got him back to the car, got his gear off, and relocated his shoulder. We headed back to Revy to recuperate, spent the night at Joey's house, and awoke in the morning with St Leon creek on our minds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Jg6XR0CI/AAAAAAAACY8/76fNP7CBpT4/s1600/revy_crew.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Jg6XR0CI/AAAAAAAACY8/76fNP7CBpT4/s400/revy_crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502705518232326178" border="0" /></a>Me, Todd and Chris on the Ferry to St. Leon Creek.<br /><br />St. Leon creek has some amazing drops. The put-in is just down hill from a natural hot springs with a lot of nudity, and pachuly oil. We put in and came upon a sweet triple drop. An 8 footer to 5 foot boof with a nasty hole, to a sweet slide. I did probably the biggest aerial brown i have ever done on the top 8 footer. It was nice!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_X98gp_I/AAAAAAAACaU/aVTYNg7IK1U/s1600/St.LeonFred1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_X98gp_I/AAAAAAAACaU/aVTYNg7IK1U/s400/St.LeonFred1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507549812806952946" border="0" /></a>Brown!!! The first stage of the triple.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_Xs1ZIII/AAAAAAAACaM/Pu6NKBJVUZs/s1600/St.LeonFred2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_Xs1ZIII/AAAAAAAACaM/Pu6NKBJVUZs/s400/St.LeonFred2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507549808213696642" border="0" /></a>The second stage of the triple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Jh4E5FxI/AAAAAAAACZU/l5HVp23DShk/s1600/fred_st_leon_first.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2Jh4E5FxI/AAAAAAAACZU/l5HVp23DShk/s400/fred_st_leon_first.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502705534798206738" border="0" /></a>Me starting the fun slide. This triple drop was very fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_YOGD4XI/AAAAAAAACac/Ceir1MibMZ4/s1600/St.LeonChris2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_YOGD4XI/AAAAAAAACac/Ceir1MibMZ4/s400/St.LeonChris2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507549817141977458" border="0" /></a> Chris at the end of the sweet slide. It mellows out in-between the drops with some fun boogie water, then all of the sudden we came upon a huge horizon line. A very fast, fun slide awaits. Probably around 80 feet long and maybe 60 ft tall. It was very fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JhVS4zPI/AAAAAAAACZM/reEzI3UGZD8/s1600/fred_st_leon_slide.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JhVS4zPI/AAAAAAAACZM/reEzI3UGZD8/s400/fred_st_leon_slide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502705525461667058" border="0" /></a>Me on the slide. Speeding into the pool. After the slide comes a sweet mini gorge that unfortunately was choked with wood. We portaged, and the gorge ended in a sweet 30ish footer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JhMChliI/AAAAAAAACZE/8Hm_us_FJ4g/s1600/fred_st_leon_last.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JhMChliI/AAAAAAAACZE/8Hm_us_FJ4g/s400/fred_st_leon_last.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502705522977117730" border="0" /></a>The last falls, a super great, clean waterfall. Gotta love BC.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG7C01Wvg9I/AAAAAAAACa0/Efay2rMy1-M/s1600/St.LeonChris6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG7C01Wvg9I/AAAAAAAACa0/Efay2rMy1-M/s400/St.LeonChris6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507553607252149202" border="0" /></a>Chris chillin out with a beautiful look back up St. Leon Creek.<br /><br />After St Leon we proceeded to meet up with a bunch of Mt. Bikers, and had a pretty fun night filled with lots of beer drinkings and hot springs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JgtAWp2I/AAAAAAAACY0/5Cnym_vQ6y0/s1600/fred_nap_in_gnar_car.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2JgtAWp2I/AAAAAAAACY0/5Cnym_vQ6y0/s400/fred_nap_in_gnar_car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502705514646513506" border="0" /></a>I didnt feel great in the morning so i took a little nap in GnarCar. Chris thought it would be funny to take a picture.<br /><br />We finally gained motivation to go kayaking. We arrived at the Kuskanax river, a sweet class 4 ish section with some great waterfalls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O4qbbB6I/AAAAAAAACZs/wwP17Wi5omo/s1600/fred_kuskanax_last_falls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O4qbbB6I/AAAAAAAACZs/wwP17Wi5omo/s400/fred_kuskanax_last_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502711423829739426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG7B3pVvYjI/AAAAAAAACas/IZFv8eCNp7s/s1600/Kusk3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG7B3pVvYjI/AAAAAAAACas/IZFv8eCNp7s/s400/Kusk3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507552556054700594" border="0" /></a>Kuskanax river with some beautiful classic BC gorge scenery.<br /><br />After the Kuskanax we hiked up and ran sweet park and huck 20ftr right on the side of the road called Gardener creek.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O4IJj_iI/AAAAAAAACZk/78TVhsWBhtU/s1600/fred_gardner_upper_falls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O4IJj_iI/AAAAAAAACZk/78TVhsWBhtU/s400/fred_gardner_upper_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502711414628023842" border="0" /></a>The top drop on gardener.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O3owCWpI/AAAAAAAACZc/GsIbGSk5Nms/s1600/fred_gardner_lower_falls.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF2O3owCWpI/AAAAAAAACZc/GsIbGSk5Nms/s400/fred_gardner_lower_falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502711406199462546" border="0" /></a>The last falls on gardener.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_YZz3h5I/AAAAAAAACak/uN4XuzAWkQM/s1600/GardnerFred1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TG6_YZz3h5I/AAAAAAAACak/uN4XuzAWkQM/s400/GardnerFred1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507549820286896018" border="0" /></a>...and from the bottom.<br />Check out the sweet little video I put together from the trip.\<br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/13719812" frameborder="0" height="300" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13719812">Interior BC/ Sutherland Falls</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />This ended up being one of the most fun paddling trips of the year for me. We were able to find some stuff that none of us had done before, and all in all it was a great trip. We are bummed about Todd's shoulder he is having surgery in september and no doubt after that he will be back out killing it as usual. Heal up buddy.<br />Until Next time.<br /><br />All photos By Chris Tretwold and Todd Gillmanhttp://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/interior-bc.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-5593416918636531332Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:14:00 +00002010-08-08T22:25:44.528-07:00Hamma Hamma FallsThis spring Evan Garcia, Pat Keller and Candace Sanders rolled up to the northwest on an epic stouting mission. They called me up and told me to meet them out on the OP to check out Hamma Hamma Falls, first descented by Todd Gillman a couple years back. The falls is a stout 20 footer into a 60 footer. Its stout. Pat ran first and killed it, Evan ran next and styled it as well. I ran and had a good line despite having to battle a little undercut wall on the left. It was a great day. Here is a sick Photo that Candace Sanders shot of me on the second falls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF-QbyrY-nI/AAAAAAAACZ0/tpsTk4vdDl4/s1600/candace+Hamma+Hamma+shot+low+res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TF-QbyrY-nI/AAAAAAAACZ0/tpsTk4vdDl4/s400/candace+Hamma+Hamma+shot+low+res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503276076804668018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then a few weeks ago Demshitz came through and were ready for stouts. So we headed to Hamma Hamma once again. The video tells the most complete story. Check it out.<br />Demshitz represent.<br />This is one of my sickest videos to date for sure.<br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13788451&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13788451&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=1&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1&amp;autoplay=0&amp;loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13788451">Hamma Hamma Falls W/Demshitz</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/hamma-hamma-falls.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-7388498753614795156Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:50:00 +00002010-07-16T14:40:47.965-07:00Canyon Creek Of the NooksackCanyon creek of the Nooksack is a small tributary that comes in just below the canyon section of the north fork. It comes from high mountain valley that reaches almost clear to the Canadian border. Although all the runs on the Nooksack nearby are almost all bedrock style, Canyon Creek is much more manky. After a short bushwhack down a steep hill, you will come to the creek, which at this point consists of landslide boulders, creating terribly manky drops. We spent the first little while portaging. After running a few manky rapids we finally came upon some bedrock. The creek got better and better after that besides the loss of my GoPro HD to the river gods.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQzcAaY6I/AAAAAAAACYU/H-DvryywOKk/s1600/_DSC0210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQzcAaY6I/AAAAAAAACYU/H-DvryywOKk/s400/_DSC0210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494621127501833122" border="0" /></a>Jamie Klein on a semi-clean manky drop.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQzOkAviI/AAAAAAAACYM/-zeU26AJfqo/s1600/_DSC0231.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQzOkAviI/AAAAAAAACYM/-zeU26AJfqo/s400/_DSC0231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494621123893050914" border="0" /></a>Me coming through the first drop of that good ol' stuff we love-bedrock.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQymY5IJI/AAAAAAAACYE/N5RRuKRiPiY/s1600/_DSC0241.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/TEDQymY5IJI/AAAAAAAACYE/N5RRuKRiPiY/s400/_DSC0241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494621113108996242" border="0" /></a><br />Chris Tretwold airing it out on a sweet boof.<br /><br />Here is a little video I put together from the day.<br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13262837&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13262837&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13262837">Canyon Creek</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />The nooksack river valley has some really great kayaking and anyone in the Bellingham area should definitely check out the area.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/07/canyon-creek-of-nooksack.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-1523798165279285704Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:02:00 +00002010-06-27T10:17:08.651-07:00SurvivorGoat 7... Kayak EditionMike(the mountain man) Miller introduced me to survivorgoat at college this year. Survivor goat is a web series compiled of only some of the greatest feats of mankind itself. Survivorgoat is all about extreme. Survivorgoat is all about being stout. Survivorgoat 7 kayak edition is taking Survivorgoat to a new level. It brings sarcasm to the world of extreme kayaking, and makes light of how serious some paddling films are. Check it out <br /><object width="800" height="600"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12884596&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12884596&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/12884596">Survivor Goat 7.. Kayak Edition</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/06/survivorgoat-7-kayak-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-2373961036988791758Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:22:00 +00002010-06-22T00:38:27.688-07:00Raffuse Creek ExplorationWhen Todd calls and says "hey man, ive got something sweet, wanna go to BC this weekend?", It probably means its gunna be a good old fashioned BC bushwack to a worthy creek. Then he texted me some photos they had taken when they scouted it a few days prior. Pictures of clean waterfalls and a kickass gorge met my eyes. I dropped other plans and headed up to the squamish area. We made some delicious food at Bryan's house, and went to sleep stoked to go explore Raffuse creek. We woke up super early and drove to the creek which just happens to be crossed by the road to Skookum Creek. We hiked a few miles up the creek on a nice trail. Then we picked the least menacing spot in the dense bc hell f*@k, we did some classic BC bushwackin down to the creek. We put on, and ran through some really cool mini gorges like this one.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/boogie.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-800" title="boogie" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/boogie.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></a><br />Bryan Smith photo.<br /><br />We then reached some cool low volume boofs like this one.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/toddfirstboof.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-817" title="toddfirstboof" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/toddfirstboof.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Chris Tretwold Photo.<br /><br />The gorge started to get a little deeper and steeper we came upon this sweet Double Drop.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_dbl_1raffuse.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-807" title="FN_Dbl_1raffuse" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_dbl_1raffuse.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a><br /><br />Boofs like this don't suck.<br /><br />Todd Gilman Photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_dbl_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-808" title="FN_Dbl_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_dbl_2.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a>Cool shot of me resurfacing. TG photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/freddouble.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-809" title="freddouble" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/freddouble.jpg" alt="" height="650" width="433" /></a>The second stage of the double, good stuff. CT Photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ct_dbl_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-803" title="CT_Dbl_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ct_dbl_1.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a>Chris Tretwold charging of the first part of the double, reppin dat WA apple phat! Tg photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ct_dbl_4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-804" title="CT_Dbl_4" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ct_dbl_4.jpg" alt="" height="700" width="461" /></a>MMM The second drop from above. Tg photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/boogie_blueangels.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-799" title="Boogie_BlueAngels" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/boogie_blueangels.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a>Shane and Bryan in some fun boogie just after the Double Drop.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/logjammin_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-816" title="LogJammin_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/logjammin_2.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="510" /></a>After some cool boogie and mini gorges, the Creek got quite a bit steeper indeed. We came upon this, and of course Chris Tretwold fired up some stout wood removal by walking across the big log, then sawing a smaller log in half so we could run the stuff that came below.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_brown_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-805" title="FN_Brown_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_brown_2.jpg" alt="" height="335" width="510" /></a>It was definetly brown.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5127.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-812" title="IMG_5127" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5127.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></a>The eddy just above a sweet 25ish footer.BS Photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5143.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-813" title="IMG_5143" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5143.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></a>And Todd Launching off of just another sweet BC waterfall. BS photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/bryanfredwaterfall.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-801" title="bryanfredwaterfall" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/bryanfredwaterfall.jpg" alt="" height="650" width="433" /></a>The 25r from downstream, with the crack rapid soon afterwards. CT photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fredpinch.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-810" title="fredpinch" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fredpinch.jpg" alt="" height="650" width="433" /></a>And me dropping in on a really cool boof to crack drop.CT photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_colombiannecktie_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-806" title="FN_ColombianNecktie_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/fn_colombiannecktie_1.jpg" alt="" height="700" width="467" /></a>From Downstream, Photo TG<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/bs_colombiannecktie_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-802" title="BS_ColombianNecktie_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/bs_colombiannecktie_2.jpg" alt="" height="700" width="467" /></a>And Bryan exiting the crack.TG Photo<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5166.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-814" title="IMG_5166" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5166.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></a>Shane getting a nice boof into the pinch, stylie! Shortly after these quality drops, there was another waterfall in the 25-30ft range with a weird crack entrance that then proceeded to land on rocks. With higher flow, it would probably go, but the rest of the creek would be terrifying.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5216.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-815" title="IMG_5216" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/img_5216.jpg" alt="" height="600" width="400" /></a>Shane Peering into the crack.<br /><br />The creek then proceeded to throw a few walled-out, woodblocked smaller drops, so we had a couple proper BC portages.Up, out of the gorge, then yes right back down in through spikey plants and moss-covered rocks.<br /><br />We then proceeded to meet the bridge that we had decided to take out at. We started the day at 8, and ended at 7:30 or so, it was a solid day of kayaking indeed.<br /><br />Here is a short video I put together of the day, Check it out<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12689145&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12689145&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/12689145">Raffuse Creek Exploration</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />Overall the creek was not quite a classic due to the amount of work required, but there were some great waterfalls and beautiful scenery.<br /><br />Check back soon for more!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/06/raffuse-creek-exploration.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-5499902083531101096Wed, 26 May 2010 20:17:00 +00002010-05-26T13:25:27.859-07:00Ashlu Box Canyon TeaserThe Ashlu box canyon is one of BC's best kayak runs. It runs through one of the most beautiful gorges I have ever seen and unfortunately it is not free-flowing anymore. This past winter it was dammed. After the local government denied the building of the dam, the government of BC created a law to over-ride the local squamish governments power to deny the project. The dam was built. Luckily kayakers fuaght for releases. Keep our rivers free flowing.For more info make sure to check out <a href="http://www.therangelife.com/">http://www.therangelife.com </a><br />Here is a short teaser from just another great day kayaking in BC.<br />Stay tuned for more.<br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11676866&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11676866&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11676866">Ashlu Box Teaser</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/05/ashlu-box-canyon-teaser.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-7960583619792509332Mon, 17 May 2010 17:26:00 +00002010-05-18T18:15:16.834-07:005Point Film FestivalA few weekends ago, I left Bellingham, WA to go home for the weekend. The 5point filmfestival was happening in Carbondale,CO my home town. It was a great weekend with lots of great films. My Metlako falls short played, along with some other very good paddling films. Tyler Bradt came and played Dream Result, which is a great film and has some epic kayaking indeed. My favorite film of the whole festival though was Anson Fogel's film Wildwater. Anson uses state of the art technology to create the best kayaking footage I have ever seen.I flew into denver and of course right when I hit the mountains the snow started.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9wdZNa0I/AAAAAAAACXU/D1y0LBScUR4/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9wdZNa0I/AAAAAAAACXU/D1y0LBScUR4/s400/IMG_3259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293293709421378" border="0" /></a>A snowy spring drive in CO.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9vfrgYNI/AAAAAAAACXE/Df8dkCui8NU/s1600/IMG_3317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9vfrgYNI/AAAAAAAACXE/Df8dkCui8NU/s400/IMG_3317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293277143163090" border="0" /></a>Rolling into town getting a good view of Mt. Sopris, damn it was good to be home.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-SzYU2pI/AAAAAAAACXs/Wf7C6XJX0Rw/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-SzYU2pI/AAAAAAAACXs/Wf7C6XJX0Rw/s400/IMG_3388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293883726846610" border="0" /></a>I spent some quality time on my trampoline making brown flips and such.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9uk7AIvI/AAAAAAAACW8/7VIble2Tx2M/s1600/IMG_3349.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9uk7AIvI/AAAAAAAACW8/7VIble2Tx2M/s400/IMG_3349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293261370467058" border="0" /></a>5point filmfest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-SVEPqcI/AAAAAAAACXk/JTsJFajKkOk/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-SVEPqcI/AAAAAAAACXk/JTsJFajKkOk/s400/IMG_3429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293875589556674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9txgb9gI/AAAAAAAACW0/TFbmx7B4Eog/s1600/IMG_3350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F9txgb9gI/AAAAAAAACW0/TFbmx7B4Eog/s400/IMG_3350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293247568836098" border="0" /></a>A full house at the festival, and a quick screening of my metlako falls video on their super sick blu-ray projector.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-R2vx_AI/AAAAAAAACXc/dSMV12VVjkA/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-R2vx_AI/AAAAAAAACXc/dSMV12VVjkA/s400/IMG_3440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293867450661890" border="0" /></a>Brie, Julie and Beda 5Point filmfest girls who organized the whole event. Thanks a bunch!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-UF31MrI/AAAAAAAACX8/7fIH0PfQtO4/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S_F-UF31MrI/AAAAAAAACX8/7fIH0PfQtO4/s400/IMG_3356.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472293905870697138" border="0" /></a>Introducing my film, Metlako falls.<br /><br />This is a slightly shorter version of my film in a bit downgraded quality.<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9245862&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9245862&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9245862">Metlako Falls</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />Here is a teaser of Anson's incredible work. This guy inspires me to make films, best footage out there.<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11540206&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11540206&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/11540206">WildWater Trailer - New Version</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user721429">Anson Fogel</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />And of course, Rush and Tyler's Film Dream Result was super good as usual.<br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQnAUYgNoao&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQnAUYgNoao&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1&amp;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />Overall the weekend was awesome, make sure to check out http://www.5pointfilm.org and come to next year's festival!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/05/5point-film-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-95280688325312209Sun, 09 May 2010 05:53:00 +00002010-05-08T23:10:29.607-07:00Metlako Falls VideoAlrighty, i've sat on this footage for sometime and Im sick of hiding it, here is an edit from our run down Metlako Falls earlier this year. Shot on Canon 7D and Gopro HD.<br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9245862&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9245862&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9245862">Metlako Falls</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />A longer version played this past weekend at the 5 point filmfest. It was a great time.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/05/metlako-falls-video.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8216457351354597087Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:47:00 +00002010-04-27T23:58:19.510-07:00Robe Canyon Downriver Race 2010!The 2nd Robe Canyon Downriver race was a huge success this past weekend in Granite Falls, WA. Todd Gillman put on a great race, and there was a nice turnout of 16teams! The weekend started out nicely.. I finished classes on friday, and was stoked for the weekend to come. Saturday came and in the evening we met up with a great crew for some of their first times down Robe. Rodrigo, a good friend from Pucon, Chile even made it up for the fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXiCOMwaI/AAAAAAAACTw/Tw0adw6cojw/s1600/robe+crew"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXiCOMwaI/AAAAAAAACTw/Tw0adw6cojw/s400/robe+crew" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464651440084271522" border="0" /></a>The crew after a great saturday evening run. Left to right, Rodrigo, Mike, LJ, me, Kurt, Louis, and Niko. Photo:LJ<br /><br />We drove back to Bellingham that night where we met with the largest of burritos! Casa Que Pasa is whats up(if ya know what i mean)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXgOyz-YI/AAAAAAAACTQ/9n_iXRMrHHY/s1600/LJ+burrito.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXgOyz-YI/AAAAAAAACTQ/9n_iXRMrHHY/s400/LJ+burrito.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464651409099323778" border="0" /></a>LJ diving into a class 5 burrito. Lj is used to stouts so it was no problem for him, he styled the line and ate the whole thing! Damn thats a burrito right there! Photo: Rodrigo<br /><br />The morning dawned and we drove down to Robe with the flows looking higher than we expected(which was great, 5.8 might be the best Robe level out there, and we got to race on it!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXhTRl6CI/AAAAAAAACTo/0yUWRCe2UQ8/s1600/Takeout+lj+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXhTRl6CI/AAAAAAAACTo/0yUWRCe2UQ8/s400/Takeout+lj+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464651427482036258" border="0" /></a>A super good showing of kayakers at the take out, ready for the day's festivities.<br />Photo:Rodrigo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXhJfj2iI/AAAAAAAACTg/ktjqbkimp2A/s1600/Robe+ethan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXhJfj2iI/AAAAAAAACTg/ktjqbkimp2A/s400/Robe+ethan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464651424856267298" border="0" /></a>Racers walking to the put-in. Photo by Ethan Smith. It was great to see so many teams fired up to race and tons of people just plain stoked to be out there. Gotta love events like this.. brings out the true kayakers. People are out there to have fun and run the river not to win any money at the end. I love the passion people have for our sport to all gather for such a fun grass-roots event.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXgcJM0uI/AAAAAAAACTY/ohAfYAnp1Hk/s1600/Robe+ethan+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZXgcJM0uI/AAAAAAAACTY/ohAfYAnp1Hk/s400/Robe+ethan+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464651412682887906" border="0" /></a>Racers putting in on the flatwater above the run.There was a great showing! Photo: Ethan Smith.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9fbsIkxDZI/AAAAAAAACWg/VShVmbmtCdU/s1600/GroupShot1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9fbsIkxDZI/AAAAAAAACWg/VShVmbmtCdU/s400/GroupShot1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465078224099806610" border="0" /></a>The Racers getting ready for a great day. Somehow Niko and I missed this shot... Demshitz is out to lunch.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYI6kmbaI/AAAAAAAACUY/ljocwn8Q8Tg/s1600/IMG_2832.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYI6kmbaI/AAAAAAAACUY/ljocwn8Q8Tg/s400/IMG_2832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652108045643170" border="0" /></a>Lj looking onto Last Sunshine rapid, the third rapid of the run and indeed one of the sweetest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYIW_JsRI/AAAAAAAACUQ/6K1MSIfXX_U/s1600/IMG_2863.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYIW_JsRI/AAAAAAAACUQ/6K1MSIfXX_U/s400/IMG_2863.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652098493329682" border="0" /></a>Ethan Smith, Portland boater running last sunshine on a beautiful day.Photo: Cody Payne Thanks to Ethan for running safety/taking some great photos!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYH1WzO_I/AAAAAAAACUI/vMoxwCIl7do/s1600/IMG_2892.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYH1WzO_I/AAAAAAAACUI/vMoxwCIl7do/s400/IMG_2892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652089465715698" border="0" /></a>Chilean Paddler Rodrigo Tuschner running "da real shit" with that chilean estilo weon!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYHHESGeI/AAAAAAAACUA/zeWTKcg2A2I/s1600/IMG_2895.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYHHESGeI/AAAAAAAACUA/zeWTKcg2A2I/s400/IMG_2895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652077040015842" border="0" /></a>Rodrigo kills it and is always fired up to go kayaking, gotta love this guy, never seen a frown on his face when he's out on the rio. Check out his website, <a href="http://www.kayakpucon.net/">Kayak Pucon</a>. If you ever go to chile, this guy knows the rivers super well and has a great shop in Pucon so make sure to visit his site before your next south american paddling adventure!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYGnAJcTI/AAAAAAAACT4/eXL-CfZcWcc/s1600/IMG_2903.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYGnAJcTI/AAAAAAAACT4/eXL-CfZcWcc/s400/IMG_2903.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652068432736562" border="0" /></a>Rodrigo immersed in frothing brown that is Robe canyon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYtOvBHCI/AAAAAAAACVA/kKvVyMRlpQ8/s1600/IMG_3000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYtOvBHCI/AAAAAAAACVA/kKvVyMRlpQ8/s400/IMG_3000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652731933334562" border="0" /></a>Brian and Aaron Johnson, the winning team amidst some fun boogie just after last sunshine. Photo: Cody Payne<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYsruzn7I/AAAAAAAACU4/OEYDiUbt_Eg/s1600/IMG_3015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYsruzn7I/AAAAAAAACU4/OEYDiUbt_Eg/s400/IMG_3015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652722537209778" border="0" /></a>Kurt and Louis, the third place team killing it just below last sunshine, these guys are incredibly fast with some insane slalom skills. Photo: Cody<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYsPAm8FI/AAAAAAAACUw/33sPAiXiM-M/s1600/IMG_3040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYsPAm8FI/AAAAAAAACUw/33sPAiXiM-M/s400/IMG_3040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652714827247698" border="0" /></a>Me approaching last sunshine. Photo:Cody Payne<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYrRsep1I/AAAAAAAACUo/d_Zz9wx53lU/s1600/IMG_3066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYrRsep1I/AAAAAAAACUo/d_Zz9wx53lU/s400/IMG_3066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652698368255826" border="0" /></a>My teammate, Niko Peha killing it in the race on only his second time down the river! He styled every single rapid except for the last hole which got him good.... He did insanely good for only running it twice. Unfortunately he swam out of the last hole, but we had a great run otherwise and it was really fun running the rapids right after each other with Niko right on my tail. Good times.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYq1w9pwI/AAAAAAAACUg/GRdHlcpmIk4/s1600/Brian+AJ+sunshine+LJshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZYq1w9pwI/AAAAAAAACUg/GRdHlcpmIk4/s400/Brian+AJ+sunshine+LJshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464652690870871810" border="0" /></a>Brian and AJ the winning team running super close at Last Sunshine. Photo:LJ<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZOujFOWI/AAAAAAAACVo/ygfQQ71jb-8/s1600/Kurt+sunshine+lj+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZOujFOWI/AAAAAAAACVo/ygfQQ71jb-8/s400/Kurt+sunshine+lj+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464653307408890210" border="0" /></a>Kurt Braunlich lining up for last sunshine... This guy is such a stylie kayaker, absolutely crushes it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZObCfj9I/AAAAAAAACVg/_-3nYL2wG58/s1600/Tret+ender+lj+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZObCfj9I/AAAAAAAACVg/_-3nYL2wG58/s400/Tret+ender+lj+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464653302171930578" border="0" /></a>Tretwold getting some vertical in Last Sunshine, the gnomes are strong here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZOEqwVkI/AAAAAAAACVY/bCmdeDWJ9lA/s1600/Robe+hotel+cali.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZOEqwVkI/AAAAAAAACVY/bCmdeDWJ9lA/s400/Robe+hotel+cali.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464653296166786626" border="0" /></a>Me boofing Hotel California, a pretty big hole with Niko right behind me. Photo: Ethan Smith<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZNWmUPPI/AAAAAAAACVQ/J1mwoApOsU8/s1600/gillman+robe+ethan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZNWmUPPI/AAAAAAAACVQ/J1mwoApOsU8/s400/gillman+robe+ethan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464653283800136946" border="0" /></a>Todd Gillman and Bryan Smith at Hotel California photo:Ethan Smith<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZMq2lPiI/AAAAAAAACVI/zHruO4VAkng/s1600/Ethan+shot+3"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZZMq2lPiI/AAAAAAAACVI/zHruO4VAkng/s400/Ethan+shot+3" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464653272057200162" border="0" /></a>Bryan Smith charging into the bottom of Hotel Cali... sick shot by Ethan Smith<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaOOHH4YI/AAAAAAAACWQ/FC8i6Ie-veM/s1600/NZ+hotel+cali+LJshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaOOHH4YI/AAAAAAAACWQ/FC8i6Ie-veM/s400/NZ+hotel+cali+LJshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654398213316994" border="0" /></a>A new-zealander boofs hotel california. Cool shot by LJ<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaN9TjAEI/AAAAAAAACWI/GdUhFqVQaVk/s1600/hotel+cali+ljshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaN9TjAEI/AAAAAAAACWI/GdUhFqVQaVk/s400/hotel+cali+ljshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654393702023234" border="0" /></a>Downstream view, LJ photo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaNSmjCGI/AAAAAAAACWA/LueMwoGIGSI/s1600/crew+paddling+out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaNSmjCGI/AAAAAAAACWA/LueMwoGIGSI/s400/crew+paddling+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654382238992482" border="0" /></a>Racers Paddling down from the finish line.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaMutE_0I/AAAAAAAACV4/DmDhxv_JJnY/s1600/Awards+lj+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaMutE_0I/AAAAAAAACV4/DmDhxv_JJnY/s400/Awards+lj+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654372602707778" border="0" /></a>The Awards ceremony. It was great to have everyone there, a good group of paddlers for a super fun event.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaMeQ9K4I/AAAAAAAACVw/CM1dmGKmz3A/s1600/+robe+handing+over+ethan+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZaMeQ9K4I/AAAAAAAACVw/CM1dmGKmz3A/s400/+robe+handing+over+ethan+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654368189787010" border="0" /></a>Ben Hawthorne hands his Robe over to Brian Fletcher.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZattVbzvI/AAAAAAAACWY/vSA0iURuJU0/s1600/Gnome+winners+ethan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9ZattVbzvI/AAAAAAAACWY/vSA0iURuJU0/s400/Gnome+winners+ethan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464654939170787058" border="0" /></a>Chris Tretwold and Way-rad Mcgnarly got the Gnome to take home after swimming into the finish with pure style.(The gnome is the prize for the slowest team) Ethan Photo.<br />Here are the Final Results. an (s) means there was a swim involved.<br />(1) Aaron Johnson / Brian Fletcher (27:56)<br />(2) Rob McKibbin / Ben Hawthorne (28:45)<br />(3) Kurt Braunlich / Louis Geltman (29:07)<br />(4) Jon Prentice / Darren Albright (30:38)<br />(5) Sean Bozkewycz / Adrian Kiernan (31:59)<br />(6) Bryan Smith / Todd Gillman (32:52)<br />(7) Hale Hannaway / Jon Dufay (33:58)<br />(8) Brad Xanthopoulos / Marco Colella (34:23)<br />(9) Jonathan Ehlinger / Andrew Oberhardt (36:10)<br />(10) Scott Waidelich / Nick Hinds (36:41)(S)<br />(11) Steve Arns / Matt Kompass (36:50)<br />(12) Fred Norquist / Niko Peha (38:03)(S)<br />(13) Ken Olivier / Sam the Kiwi (40:27)<br />(14) Shane Robinson / Brock Gavery (40:54)(S)<br />(15) Don Beveridge / Darcy Gaechter (41:30)<br />(16) Chris Tretwold / Ryan Bradley (55:15)(S)<br /><br />Overall it was a great weekend. Big thanks to Todd Gillman and the TRL boys for putting it on.<br />Photos by LJ, Ethan Smith, and Cody Payne.<br /><br />Check back soon for a Robe Canyon Videohttp://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/04/robe-canyon-downriver-race-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-745306043113211583Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:12:00 +00002010-04-26T16:41:12.202-07:00Spring is here! I love snowmelt.Well the past couple weeks I have been paddling hard, "training" for the Robe canyon race which went down this past weekend(check back in a few days for a write-up). The snowmelt finally started up here in northern washington and some of my favorite rivers bumped up to decent(but not ideal) flows. I have been spending the last week on some of my favorite runs, Robe canyon, Middle Fork of the Nooksack, and the Horseshoe bend section of the North Fork of the Nooksack. It has been great to be able to paddle almost everyday. At one point this week, I paddled 6 out of 7 days while still being in school... that aint bad, although I wont mention how it affected my grades haha. I paddled robe 3 times, Middle Fork twice and The North Fork once. So in other words life is good right now. being able to kayak this much is awesome. Here are a few pics from a sunny day on the North Fork, the home class 4 run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgZZ9c_DI/AAAAAAAACS4/bv5D6wGR82I/s1600/IMG_2701.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgZZ9c_DI/AAAAAAAACS4/bv5D6wGR82I/s400/IMG_2701.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590818698132530" border="0" /></a>Me entering Bench Drop on a sunny afternoon on the NF.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgYnYSdHI/AAAAAAAACSw/6lV7CIHd4qY/s1600/IMG_2705.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgYnYSdHI/AAAAAAAACSw/6lV7CIHd4qY/s400/IMG_2705.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590805120480370" border="0" /></a>Oh yea... BROWN.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgYHdgw7I/AAAAAAAACSo/6XP_kb2x9VY/s1600/IMG_2716.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgYHdgw7I/AAAAAAAACSo/6XP_kb2x9VY/s400/IMG_2716.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590796552455090" border="0" /></a>Entering a lower in between rapid.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgXRwWKLI/AAAAAAAACSg/ErbkVwE-by4/s1600/IMG_2740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgXRwWKLI/AAAAAAAACSg/ErbkVwE-by4/s400/IMG_2740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590782135937202" border="0" /></a>Soul cruisin' in a shiny new Jefe Grande... Lovin that boat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgWze8wuI/AAAAAAAACSY/kxn75p5kOhE/s1600/IMG_2761.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YgWze8wuI/AAAAAAAACSY/kxn75p5kOhE/s400/IMG_2761.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464590774009905890" border="0" /></a>Boofing into SAT.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YjhTB7NLI/AAAAAAAACTA/vvgT1KcvjCk/s1600/IMG_2794.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9YjhTB7NLI/AAAAAAAACTA/vvgT1KcvjCk/s400/IMG_2794.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464594252811678898" border="0" /></a><br />A fun boof in the middle of SAT.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9Yjh17Q6FI/AAAAAAAACTI/lSo5SZZRJhs/s1600/IMG_2801.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S9Yjh17Q6FI/AAAAAAAACTI/lSo5SZZRJhs/s400/IMG_2801.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464594262178981970" border="0" /></a><br />I then met up with Cody(demshitz made star) and took him down a nice class 3 section with a beautiful view of Mt. Baker Cody loves Demshitz.<br /><br />It was a good day on the Rio! The NF is beautiful. Pics by Cody and Fred.<br /><br />I shot some great video of Middle Fork that will be out soon.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-is-here-i-love-snowmelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-710712525908104801Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:49:00 +00002010-04-04T23:57:18.669-07:00Spring Break! Little White Binge/Robe CanyonAs final exams ended for the winter quarter, shouts could be head all over campus, "SPRING BREAK!!!!". Each person was glad to be done with classes and to have a nice 10 day break. While some people went back to their homes, some flew to mexico or drove to canada to get plastered. I loaded GnarCar up and had one thing on my mind. Kayaking. The water levels were low. I knew one place where even if it isnt raining.... the shit is running. The Little White Salmon. Probably one of the best rivers in the world, no definetly. I drove down to hood river with the goal of kayaking until my arms fell off. The first day we had a great run on the Little White.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1924-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-647" title="IMG_1924 2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1924-2.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a> Here is a great shot of Orion Meredith styling spirit falls like its a damn fashion show. Photo Fred Norquist<br /><br />The Little White Salmon will always have a place in my heart, it has some of the most quality rapids out there, and travels though a beautiful northwestern basalt gorge with tons of greenery. The water comes from an underground aquifer which gets filled in the winter by rianfall, then runs all througout the winter months and even into the spring and summer. The water is Crystal Clear with an incredible aqua-marine blue tint to it. The little white is an extremely special place.<br /><br />After a great day, I drove to the Wind River Festival which was a great time with good brew, good food, and some good stories around a bonfire. I woke up, and met up with a motivated Seattle crew ready to charge.<br />We put on the Little White around 9 having a good run, and my first run down spirit falls which was a success. Then we headed to the Truss to make it a double WHAMMY! By the end of the truss, my arms were sore and It ended up being a great day, I reached my goal of portageless Ldub and Truss. I said goodbye to my seattle friends and drove over the bridge to Hood River where I cooked some dank pasta in the parking lot at the kayak shed.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1931.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-649" title="IMG_1931" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1931.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Gypsy style!<br /><br />I spent the night at my buddies house, and awoke being incredibly sore. Probably too sore to kayak. SHRED ALERT! haha<br /><br />So I spent the day hiking around taking pictures of the waterfalls in the area.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1971.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-654" title="IMG_1971" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1971-e1270005721803.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Multnomah is a stout. Probably runnable(that is possibly sarcastic).<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1992.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-656" title="IMG_1992" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1992.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>The Lip view! Holy STOUT! you can see the bottom drop's lip around 500 feet below.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1984.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-655" title="IMG_1984" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1984.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Good scenery in the Columbia River Gorge.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1955.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-652" title="IMG_1955" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1955.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Pretty!!!<br /><br />After a good day of hiking and photographing, I headed back into HR, met up with some friends and hopped the fence into our favorite hotel hot tub. It was purely for therapeutic reasons of course. We did this everyday for the rest of break, Gypsies!<br /><br />The next 5 days I ran the Little White everyday. I made a sick Video edit from some headcam footage taken over those days on the LDUB.<br /><br />Check it out, personally I would say its one of my better Video creations.<br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10558155&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10558155&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10558155">Little White Salmon River Helmet Cam</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />And here are some pretty pictures. Spirit falls is beautiful place. It is a place that instills fear in me. It is a waterfall unlike any other I have run, significantly more consequential with Chaos below, and a bad cave on the right not to mention a huge frothing boil, or the fact that many people have had back injuries on this drop. After running spirit once and having a decent line, I was out to style it perfectly.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2031.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-658" title="IMG_2031" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2031.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Jay Gifford Contemplating Spirit Falls<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2036.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-659" title="IMG_2036" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2036.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>I ran and didnt have the greatest line... boofing too big will really hurt on this drop. Im really glad I didnt end up injuring my back. Photo By Erik Boomer<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2038.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-660" title="IMG_2038" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2038.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Oh yea! haha ouch! Photo: Erik Boomer<br /><br />That was my second line on Spirit, one decent line, one huge boof, and on my last run I finally had the perfect line that I wanted oh so bad. Its in the video. Check it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2063.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-661" title="IMG_2063" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2063.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>My sad face leaving LDUB. I will be back have no fear.<br /><br />It was friday, I had run the Little White 6 times and the Truss once. I was sore, and school was to start on tuesday. I headed north. After sleeping at a good friends house in Gig Harbor, I woke early and met the BHAM crew at Robe for a lap. Hitting Robe at a lowish flow isnt quite the LDub, but when water comes into Robe canyon, its a damn good day. It was still a good day for sure.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2064.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-662" title="IMG_2064" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2064.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>The Bham Crew about to hit up good Ol' Robe Canyon.<br /><br />We took Adam down for his first time, so we were taking things slow, which allowed for plenty of time for me to hop out and snap some shots.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2071.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-663" title="IMG_2071" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2071.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Chris Tretwold of the Bham crew in T1. Photo Fred Norquist.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2083.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-664" title="IMG_2083" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2083.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Looking downstream at T2 and into the depths of Robe Canyon. Photo Fred Norquist<br /><br />T1 and 2 are some pretty fun warm-up rapids, but once you come to Last Sunshine, Its on. Definitely my favorite rapid of the run.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2124.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-665" title="IMG_2124" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2124.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Leif Embertson About to launch a sweet line off one of the greatest boofs out there. photo:Fred Norquist<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2129.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-666" title="IMG_2129" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2129.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Oh yea! The kicker giving Leif a nice boof into the fast moving current coming from the right. photo:Fred Norquist<br /><br />Here is a short video of one of my best lines on Last Sunshine, God I love this rapid.<br /><br /><object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10587961&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10587961&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10587961">Fred Norquist, Robe Canyon, Last Sunshine W/ Style</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2143.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-667" title="IMG_2143" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2143.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>One of my Favorite shots from the day, Jonathan, Chris, and Hale running Hole In the Wall. Photo: Fred Norquist<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2175.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-669" title="IMG_2175" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2175.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Looking up the Canyon with Faceplant in plain view.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2251.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-672" title="IMG_2251" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2251.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Just after faceplant is Catcher's Mitt, a big hole and a good feeling drop to boof the piss out of. Here is Chris Killin it. Photo:Fred Norquist<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2261.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-673" title="IMG_2261" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2261.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Shortly after Catcher's Mitt is a manky pile of rocks created by a landslide that is normally portaged. Below the portage is garbage.<br /><br />We wanted to attempt to cut a log out of Garbage that had been bugging us, and we want gone before the Robe race. Attempt we did or Chris did rather. However was unable to cut the log free due to surging water and sketchy sawing conditions. We concluded we would come back at lower flows.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2290.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-675" title="IMG_2290" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2290.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Then we ran Garbage.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2311.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-676" title="IMG_2311" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2311.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Leif dropping in. After Garbage, the rapids space out a bit, one of the best has to be 20ft waterfall.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2342.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-677" title="IMG_2342" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2342.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Chris smear boof on the second drop in 20ft waterfall. This is a great one to Brown.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2394.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-679" title="IMG_2394" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2394.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Jonathan, Chris and Adam coming into sight in Conversation.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2405.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-681" title="IMG_2405" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_2405.jpg" alt="" height="340" width="510" /></a>Adam and Chris in Lower Conversation. Photo: Fred Norquist.<br /><br />It turned out to be a great spring break. Im back in bellingham now, classes Just started. It looks like runoff will begin sometime soon, and be sure I will be out there paddling as much as I can.<br /><br />Untill next time!http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/04/as-final-exams-ended-for-winter-quarter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-8013234049521986245Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:56:00 +00002010-03-17T13:59:12.104-07:00North Fork Stillaguamish AdventureWell I woke up way too early after a super late night. College seems to always convince me to stay up late.. especially when girls are around. After going to sleep at 3am, I woke up at 6am, loaded up my kayak gear and drove over to Chris's house. It was the earliest I had woken up in a long time. After talking to Chris, Todd and Leif the night before, all I knew was that we were going to explore something that the crew knew a little about, but not much. Chris had casually scouted the run in '08 and this is what he saw.<br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/nf_stilli-tretwold-scout.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-573" title="NF_stilli tretwold scout" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/nf_stilli-tretwold-scout.jpg" alt="" height="650" width="488" /></a>Photo:Chris Tretwold<br /><br />Enticing indeed. After driving a couple hours south from BHam, and a nice 2 hour nap for me, we got to the take out. This is one of the most beautiful take-outs that I have seen. The river ends with a view of a massive Cascadian peak called whitehorse peak. It looked like this.<a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1719.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-555" title="IMG_1719" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1719.jpg" alt="" height="750" width="500" /></a>We dropped Todd's subie off at the bottom, and continued on our adventure. We strategically placed a bike about half-ways down the run just in case we ended up spending the day portaging and bushwhacking through the northwestern forest. When we dropped the bike off, we found this burnt couch still glowing with embers...(not really) but it would have been sweet because it was damn cold.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1730.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-558" title="IMG_1730" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1730.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Todd and Leif warming up. We then spent the next oh hour or so doing this.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1735.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-560" title="IMG_1735" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1735.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Yea we were somewhat lost, and drove up the wrong road at least twice.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1732.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-559" title="IMG_1732" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1732.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>...And how do we get to the river? Lost on yet another dead-end logging road. Turns out the road "christian camp road" was yes in fact right next to the christian camp we had driven by probably 3 times. We considered consulting them on our existence, but decided against it. We found the river and put on, despite the low flow we found. The start of the run is class 2/3 and meanders in and out of beautiful gorges with a "heineken bottle" green tint to it.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1744.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-561" title="IMG_1744" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1744.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Chris in the upper stretches.<br /><br />The river continues like this for a few miles, which made me quite suspicious as to how the day was going to end because we were running out of distance to accommodate the gradient we had calculated. I expected the river to drop off the face of the earth, but I was pleasantly surprised when we realized it was all manageable. Here is our first view of the gorge, and the first "rapids" of the day.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1753.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-562" title="IMG_1753" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1753.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="509" /></a>Looked pretty sweet for sure. After a quick scout, Leif told us the lines and we dropped in. We found some sweet rapids indeed.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_1stfalls.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-548" title="FN_1stFalls" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_1stfalls.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Me on the first rapids of the run, a sweet 3-stager with this at the end. Photo: Todd Gillman<br /><br />The Remix kills it, even in low volume technical stuff.<br /><br />Directly after this drop we caught a very small eddy, and climbed up some rocks and sticks to find this.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1775.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-567" title="IMG_1775" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1775.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Gradient! and some manky waterfalls.<br /><br />There is some really interesting geology here with some huge potholes.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_pothole_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-547" title="CT_Pothole_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_pothole_2.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Chris decided to take a short break in one. TG photo.<br /><br />After scouting for a while, I figured I could pick off one of these stacked waterfalls.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-549" title="FN_2ndFalls_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_2.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-550" title="FN_2ndFalls_3" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_3.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-551" title="FN_2ndFalls_5" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_2ndfalls_5.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Beautiful Sequence by Todd Gillman, nice shots!<br /><br />We portaged the next two drops, a sketchy 4 footer that lead directly into a 3oish footer that landed directly on rocks. We continued downstream.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1765.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-566" title="IMG_1765" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1765.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Chris and Todd contemplating the drops below.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1782.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-568" title="IMG_1782" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1782.jpg" alt="" height="765" width="510" /></a>Leif and Chris scouting some good drops, and some not-so good drops. Look at that tree! Thing is huge!<br /><br />As we continued, we found some really good drops. A crazy 15 ft waterfall with a weird entrance from an eddy, then a sweet rock grind boof.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1809.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-569" title="IMG_1809" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1809.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Leif entering the Sweet 15ftr.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1817.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-570" title="IMG_1817" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1817.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>And then about to drop over the edge of a really cool drop.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_4thfalls_1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-545" title="CT_4thFalls_1" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_4thfalls_1.jpg" alt="" height="700" width="467" /></a>Chris killing a boof on the same drop from below. Photo TG<br /><br />I got a pretty sweet Video shot of Todd From the top, check it out.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10227766&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10227766&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10227766">Todd Gillman NF Stillaguamish</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_4thfalls_2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-552" title="FN_4thFalls_2" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_4thfalls_2.jpg" alt="" height="700" width="467" /></a>Me running the same drop, Good stuff! photo: TG<br /><br />Just after this drop is a really sweet grind boof. Here is Chris showing us whats up with the rim grab.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_grab.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-546" title="CT_Grab" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ct_grab.jpg" alt="" height="339" width="509" /></a>Stylie! photo: TG<br /><br />I got a nice brown off of this one, great brown drop, really.<br /><br />We continued downstream, and we were greeted with some fun class 4 boogie water. It was getting somewhat late, we were tired, then we came to a sketchy 10 footer with rocks on both sides of a 4-foot landing zone. With the help of a fresh snickers bar in my stomach, I ran it, had a decent line slightly taggin my elbow on a rock on the left.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_5thfalls.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-553" title="FN_5thFalls" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fn_5thfalls.jpg" alt="" height="335" width="509" /></a>Photo: TG.<br /><br />We ran some more boogie water and arrived at the take-out and couldn't have been happier with some New Belgium brews.<br /><br />The day was a success, we didnt spend the whole day bushwhacking through the forest, we found some sweet drops, and got to be on the river. Couldn't ask for more.<br /><br /><a href="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1839.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-572" title="IMG_1839" src="http://soulgipsy.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_1839.jpg" alt="" height="750" width="500" /></a>It was a great day, we ran around 4 miles of river. Not to mention exploring a very cool river gorge. Man I love the PNW!<br /><br />Thanks to Todd, Chris and Leif, this was a great trip, one of the best ways to spend a weekend day no doubt.http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/03/north-fork-stillaguamish-adventure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2130329782675812509.post-5390369905678751346Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:40:00 +00002010-03-12T16:53:31.573-08:00LiquidLiquidlogicLogicRemixCody Payne Demshitz Made Episode 1Well for the past few weeks the water has been super low in bellingham, but I can’t just not go kayaking, I have to go. I took my friend out for his first four times, and he is really stoked on it. I love teaching people who are excited about it because they make me realize how awesome of a sport kayaking is. Its so much different than most sports I do, so much more involved, and inspires the passion for adventure that is in all of us. This is why I Love kayaking, in no other sport have I felt like each new day was an adventure, felt like each day could end with me camping next to some river freezing.From the moment Cody sat in my boat, he has been non-stop just plain stoked on kayaking. He walked to my dorm room after the first day, and asked to borrow all my kayak videos. From what I hear from his roomate, he hasnt slept in days and Demshitz the movie has been playing for three weeks now. This guy just loves it. And im stoked to be teaching him because he loves it. I see the same stoke in him that I remember feeling when I started getting into kayaking some 6 years ago. Rock on!</p> Here is a photo from Cody’s First day on the river.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S4eJXs7efUI/AAAAAAAACSE/lMhejijVFEY/s1600-h/IMG_0545.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_383LBRrEn8c/S4eJXs7efUI/AAAAAAAACSE/lMhejijVFEY/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442469714991152450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here is a video from the days I took Payne to the river.<br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9739276&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9739276&amp;server=vimeo.com&amp;show_title=1&amp;show_byline=1&amp;show_portrait=0&amp;color=&amp;fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9739276">Demshitz Made: Cody Payne Edition, Episode 1</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user741074">Fred Norquist</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>http://rfkayakers.blogspot.com/2010/02/cody-payne-demshitz-made-episode-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Fred Norquist)2